Support for electric fixtures and the like



5, 1941. M. B. AUSTIN, JR 2,2 3,334

SUPPORT FOR ELECTRIC FIXTURES AND THE LIKE Filed June 7, 1940 ATTORNEYSPatented Feb. 25, 1941 PATENT OFFICE SUPPORT FOR ELECTRIC FIXTURES ANDTHE LIKE.

Merritt B. Austin, J r., Winnetka, Ill.

Application June 7, 1940, Serial No. 339,284

7 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved support for fixtures in buildingconstruction.

More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved barhanger universally adapted 5 to be fastened between variably spacedjoists to support fixtures, such as electric outlet boxes,

switch boxes and lighting fixtures, on the interior walls and ceilingsof a building.

Heretofore, it was customary to fasten bar hangers for the aforesaidpurpose across the face of joists in building construction, a couplingmember being carried by an inwardly offset portion of said bar to permita fixture carried thereby to be mounted at the desired depth withrespect to the face of the joists, for instance, in order to bring thefixture flush with plaster covering the wall or ceiling. Various formsof bar hangers were provided, adapted to accommodate fixtures ofdifferent standard depths, assuming a standard thickness for the plastercovering the wall. The thickness of the bar hanger protruding from theface of the joists was taken up within the thickness of the plaster.

In modern construction, however, prefabricated continuous wallcoverings, such as plasterboard, wallboard, metal lath and the like arein general use and vary to a considerable degree as to thickness.Consequently, the use of bar hangers having an offset of standard depthhas become unsatisfactory. Furthermore, protrusion of the bar hangersfrom the face of the joists causes unsightly bulges in continuous Wallcoverings, sometimes causing plasterboard or similar materials to crack.In order to avoid this difliculty, it is 35 necessary to accuratelynotch the face of the joists in order to bring the surface of the barhanger flush with the joists, provision of such notches constituting atime-consuming and uneconomical operation.

40 Various types of bar hangers have been proposed, adapted to befastened between rather than across the faces of joists whereby thenecessity of providing offset portions of standard depths is eliminated.Such bar hangers usually 45 include coupling means for supportingelectrical fixtures, adjustably mounted, on the bar and adapted to belocked in any desired spaced position with reference to the'ends thereofor with reference to the supporting joists.

50 The principal difilculty in the latter constructions is the problemof adapting the bar hanger to variations in the spacing of the joists.Attempts have been made to solve this problem by providing a two-piecebar, the length of which 55 is adjustable, or a bar hanger, the ends ofwhich are bendable to decrease its length as desired. Means foradjusting the length of the bar are relatively'cumbersome, complicatedand expensive, and the provision of bendable bar hangers limits thestrength of the bar to relatively flimsy types. 5

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bar hanger ofrelatively simple, rugged and inexpensive construction adapted to befastened between the joists of buildings to support fixtures at anydesired depths and also universally adapted, without changing the lengththereof, to fit a wide range of variably spaced joists.

It is alsoan object of the present invention to provide a bar hanger ofthe type described having means for temporarily holding the bar in thedesired position in order to render permanent fastening thereof moreconvenient.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved andsimplified coupling means carried by the bar hanger, adapted to belocked in any desired spaced position with reference to the ends of thebar for supporting fixtures of the aforesaid type.

The objects of the present invention are attained by providing a barhanger, the ends of which include means for fastening them to the sidesof adjacent joists at any angle required by the spacing thereof. This isaccomplished by providing a bar hanger comprising a flattened bar of vsubstantially oblong rectangular cross- 0 section, the ends of which arebent in the same direction at right angles to a flattened surface of thebar and then twisted in the same direction about their axes through anacute angle. The bent ends of the bar are provided with means, such asperforations for receiving nails or screws, adapted to permit theirbeing fastened to the sides of joists.

The bar hanger is further provided with a spur, protruding from an endthereof, which may be jammed into the side of a joist to hold the barhanger temporaril in position until a workman is able to nail it orscrew it into place.

The attaching or coupling means for fixtures comprise a clamp memberthrough which the bar extends, clearance between the bar and the clampmember being sufficient to permit the clamp to turn about the bar forreversing its position thereon. Theclampmember is provided'with a tappedhole to engage a set screw, the axis of which is disposed perpendicular.to the bar. The set screw engages a stud or coupling provided withmeans for attaching a fixture of .the aforesaid type thereto, a portionof which stud extends over the clamp member, and the edge of 5 saidextended portion being adapted to engage the surface of the bar oppositethe bar-engaging portion of the clamp member.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the accompanyingdrawing, which shows one form of the bar hanger of the presentinvention, that at present preferred, and means for its applicationbetween variously spaced joists for supporting fixtures at variousdepths.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan View of the bar hanger of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the bar hanger shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a View partially in cross-section along the line 3-3 in Fig.2, showing the construction of the coupling or stud.

Fig. 4 shows the application of the bar hanger of Fig. 1 between joistsspaced apart by the maxi mum distance for which the bar hanger. is;

adapted. I

Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4, but shows the application of the'bar hangerbetween joists spaced apart by a standard distance.

Fig. 6 shows the application of the bar hanger of Fig. 1 between joistsmore narrowly spaced than in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 shows the application of the bar hanger for supporting a fixture,for instance, an outlet box-of medium depth.

Fig. 8 shows the application of the bar hanger for supporting a fixtureof shallow depth.

Fig. 9 shows the application of the bar hanger for supporting a fixture,for instance, an outlet box, of greater depth than in Fig. 7.

Fig; 10 shows the application of the bar hanger for supportingrelatively deep fixtures, for instance, a switch box.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the bar hanger comprises a rigidmetal bar Ill, preferably of oblong cross-section. The ends I I and I2of the bar are bent in the same direction at right angles as shown inFig. 2, preferably perpendicular to the fiat surface of the bar III. Thebent ends I I and I2 are twisted about their axes in thesamedirection'through an acute angle, for instance,'an angle of about 30",as indicated in Fig. 2.

A number of'holes or perforations I3 are provided in each of the bentends, said holes being adapted to receive nails or screws. As shown, theholes are preferably normal to the flat surface of the bent portions I Iand I2 of the bar, the axes of said holes thus forming an obtuse anglewith the axis of the straight midportion of the bar I0.

Protruding from one end of the bar hanger, a spur I4 is provided to holdthe bar halnger temporarily in the desired position between joists untilthe workman is able to secure the. bent ends to the joists by nailing orscrewing them insaid position. The said spur may be conveniently formedbefore bending the end I2, by making a diagonal cut at one edge of thebar extending inwardly approximately to the location of the angle of thebend. Thus, upon bending the end I2 at right angles, spur I4 remainsprotruding from the end of the straight midportion of the bar I0.

The said spur may be formed, however, in any other desired manner, forinstance, by providing an outwardly bent projection on the end of theupwardly bent portion I2, or protruding from any other portion of saidbent end. If desired,

a similar spur may be provided at the opposite end of the bar hanger,

Coupling means I5 for fastening a1 fixture to the bar comprises anapertured clamp member I6 surrounding the straight midportion of the barID, the inner surface of one side of the aperture in said member beingadapted to engage one side of said bar. The aperture in the clamp memberI6 is so shaped as to provide sufficient clearance to allow the clamp tobe turned about the bar in order that its position thereon may bereversed. Opposite the bar-engaging portion of said clamp member, atapped hole is provided to accommodate a set screw II, the axis of whichis normal to the transverse portion of the clamp I6.

A locking member is provided comprising a hollow stud I8 having anexternally threaded portion I9 to engage a correspondingly threadedpart'of a fixture to be attached thereto, and an inwardly extendingflared skirt, 20. The inwardly extending bore of the threaded portion I9is adapted to receive the head 2| of the set screw I1, but terminates inaln annular shoulder 22 adapted to engage the head of said screw. Saidstud or coupling I8 is secured to the clamp member I6 by inserting theset screw into the bore of the threaded portion I9 and screwing it intothe tapped hole of the clamp member I 6 until the edges 23 of the skirtportion 20 engage the bar Ill. The bar is thus clamped between the edgesof said skirt and the bar-engaging portionof the clamp member I 6. Theinner surface 24 of the skirt portion 22 is fitted approximately to theouter surfaces of the bridge portions Ilia of'the clamp member withsufficient clearance to permit the locking member to be drawn tightlyagainst "the surface of the bar upon tightening-the screw I1.

Thus the coupling or fastener secured in any desired position on the barIll, and if necessary it may be reversed, removed or replaced upon thebar. The construction of saidstud or coupling is simple and inexpensive,

I5 may be.

and its adjustment requires the manipulation of only a single draftmeans, resulting inv a material saving of time in its installationandrendering its use 'highly convenient.

In fastening the bar hanger between adjacent joists, it isiheld in thedesired position and the spur I4 at one end thereof is jammed intothe'side of one joist, anchoring the bar hanger temporarily until itcanbe permanently fastened. Nails'or screws are then driven through theholes I3 in each of the bent ends 'II and I2:

of the. barhanger, fastening it permanently into position. The stud orcoupling member I5 is secured in any desired position by releasing theset screw, adjusting the stud in the proper spacing with reference tothe joists, and then tightening the set screw to lock the said member tothe bar.

As a result of the provision of the twisted ends II and I2, the barhanger may be fastened between adjacent joists spaced'apart by any dis-ftance up to the full length of the bar hanger.

Fig. 4 sh'ows'the position of the bar hanger between jo-is'ts 25a and25b, spaced apart by the maximum distance. for which the bar hanger isadapted. The straight portion of the bar I 0 is.

substantially perpendicular to the joists. The twisted ends II and I2form anangle of about 30 with the side'sof the joists whichdoes notinterfere with the nailing thereof tothe joists.

1' Fig." 5 shows the positioning, of the bar hanger J5 between joists26a, 26b spaced somewhat closer together. In this case, the twisted endsH and [2 lie flat against the sides of the joists, the straight portionof the bar Ill forming an angle of about 60 with said joists.Preferably, the bar is constructed of such length as to assume thisposition between joists spaced apart by a standard distance. Thus, inthe most frequent applications, the ends of the bar hanger are adaptedto assume the position as shown, whereby they may be more convenientlynailed or otherwise secured to the sides of the joists.

In Fig. 6, the bar hanger is' shown fastened between joists 21a. and 21bspaced materially closer together than the joists shown in Fig. 5.Again, the twisted ends H and [2 form an acute angle with the lateralsurfaces of the joists, but as a result of the twist therein, the angleis not sufficient to prevent the use of nails or other means engagingthe holes in the said ends to secure the bar in position.

Thus, it will be seen that the bar hanger of the present invention isadapted for application between joists of any spacing up to the fulllength of the said bar hanger.

Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive show the application of the bar hanger of thepresent invention for supporting various fixtures between two joists 28,the fixtures in each case being flush with a wall covering surface orplaster line 29. Fig. 7 shows the use of the bar hanger for supporting afixture 30, shown as an outlet box of medium dimensions. The bent endsII and I2 of the bar hanger extend outward. flush with the faces of thejoists.

In Fig. 8, the use of the bar hanger is shown for supporting anextremely shallow fixture 3!. In this case, the position of the barhanger is reversed, the straight midportion thereof being substantiallyflush with the faces of the joists 28, and the bent ends H and I2extending inwardly from the said faces. In order that the bar hanger maybe used in the manner shown in Fig. 8, as well as in the manner shown inFig. 7, the coupling or fastening stud I5 is adjusted in one or theother position by turning it about the bar after releasing the set screwll.

In Fig. 9, the application of the bar hanger is shown for supporting afixture 32, for instance, an outlet box of somewhat greater depth thanthat shown in Fig. '7. In this case, the bent ends i l and I2 of the barhanger are spaced inwardly from the faces of the joists 28.

Similarly, in Fig. 10, the application of the bar hanger is shown forsupporting a relatively deep fixture 33, shown as a switch box, the endsII and I2 of the bar hanger being spaced inwardly from the faces of thejoists 28 to a greater distance than in the case of the fixture shown inFig. 9.

Variation and modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In a device of the type described, the combination of a supportingbar; a clamp member surrounding said bar, a portion of the inner surfaceof which engages one side of said bar, and the clearance between theclamping member and the bar being sufficient to permit rotation of theclamp member around said bar for reversing the position of said member;a single draft means threaded into said clamp member opposite thebar-engaging portion of the latter and movable bination of a supportingbar; a clamp member surrounding said bar, a portion of the innersurface. of which engages one side of said bar, and the. clearancebetween. the clamping member and the'b-ar being sufficient to permitrotation thereof around said bar, said clamping member having. athreaded hole adapted to engage a set "screw extending. inwardly towardthe said bar opposite the bar-engaging portion of said memher; a setscrew carried in said threaded hole of the clamp; and a locking membersupported by said set screw comprising a skirt extending over the clampmember, the edge of which skirt engages the surface of said bar oppositethe barengaging portion of the clamp member, said locking member havinga threaded cylindrical portion adapted to engage a fixture to besupported thereby.

3. A support for electric fixtures comprising a supporting bar havingboth ends thereof bent at an angle thereto to form attaching meanswhereby the bar can be permanently secured to the sides of a pair ofadjacent joists, and an integral spur forming an extension of the barprojecting beyond one of the bent ends of the bar, said spur being sharpand adapted to pierce the joist, upon a longitudinal thrust beingapplied to the bar in the direction of the joist, and hold the bar inposition while the bar is being permanently secured; and means mountedupon the bar for supporting a fixture.

4. A support for electrical fixtures comprising an elongate bar, theends of which are bent in the same direction at right angles to the barand are provided with nail-receiving apertures extending through theends at the same angle with respect to the axis of the bar, said bar,without any change in length or other alteration, being adapted to besecured respectively to the adjacent sides of a pair of joistsirrespective of the spacing thereof to support the bar at varyingangular positions with respect to the joists to compensate for thevarying spacing of the joists, said bar being adapted to support afixture in any desired position therealong with reference to the ends ofthe bar.

5. A support for electrical fixtures comprising an elongate flat bar,the ends of which are bent in the same direction at right angles to aflat surface thereof, and twisted through an acute angle in the samedirection about their longitudinal axes, said bent ends being adapted tobe secured to the adjacent sides of a pair of spaced joists to supportthe bar at the required angle with respect to the joist as determined bythe spacing between the joists, said bar being adapted to support afixture in any desired position therealong with reference to the ends ofthe bar.

6. A support for electrical fixtures comprising a flat supporting bar,the ends of which are bent in the same direction at right angles to afiat surface of the bar and twisted through an acute angle in the samedirection about their longitudinal axes, said bent end being adapted tobe secured to the adjacent sides of a pair of spaced joists; an integralspur extending from an end of the straight portion of the bar at onecorner thereof formed by a diagonally sliced portion of the' bent end ofthe bar and adapted tobite into the side of the joist upon asubstantially longitudinal thrust being applied to the bar in thedirection of the joist; and a coupling member adjustably mounted on thebar to support a fixture, including means for clamping said couplingmember in any desired position thereon. 7. A support for electricalfixtures comprising an elongate fiat bar, the ends of which are bent'inthe same direction at right angles to a fiat at the required anglewith respect to the joist as determined by the spacing betweenthejoists, andan integral sharp spur projecting beyond the end of thebar and adapted to pierce the joists upon a longitudinal thrust beingapplied to the bar in the direction of the joist and temporarily holdthe bar in position while the ends of the bar are being permanentlysecured to the joist, the spur being sufiiciently long to pierce theside of the joist for all angular positions of the bar, said bar beingadapted to support a fixture in any desired position therealong withreference to the ends of the bar NIERRI'II B. AUSTIN, JR.

